Pesticides didn’t kill NYC bees – Berkshire Eagle Online

Pesticides didn't kill NYC bees

I am writing in response to "Stinging report, study finds cocktail of pesticides may be poisoning beehives in US," in the July 31 Eagle.

I have kept honeybees on New York City rooftops since 1996. The last 10 years I have lost many hives due to CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder). I have never observed crop-dusters flying over Manhattan or any other mode of pesticide application.

BEE DEATHS ARE THE FAULT OF BEE-KEEPERS AND THEIR MIS-MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Mr. Graves SPEAKS THE TRUTH, and is clearly an EXPERT on raising bees, and understands that other bee-keepers MIS-MANAGE their bees. There is no evidence to suggest a link between neonicotinoid insecticides and bee colony collapse disorder. Neonicotinoid insecticides do not harm bees. Bee-keepers are harming bees, and not neonicotinoid insecticides. Neonicotinoid insecticides, like imidacloprid, are widely used for the control of insect pests in lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, and agriculture. Since 2006, anti-pesticide activists and bee-keepers have alleged that there are so-called links and causes between the neonicotinoid insecticides like imidacloprid and bee colony collapse disorder. Researchers have not been able to identify a single cause of bee colony collapse disorder. The weight of the scientific evidence clearly shows that neonicotinoid insecticides do not affect bees. The exposure of bees to neonicotinoid insecticides is at very low levels, far too low to cause harmful effects. Neonicotinoid insecticides will cause no harm to bees since treated plant tissues contain only tiny amounts of ingredient, bees are not feeding on the plants, and pollen contains barely detectable levels. If some anti-pesticide activists and bee-keepers were not so scientifically illiterate, they would know that scientific research shows that, as reported through EPA’s and Health Canada’s vast toxicology database, no harm will occur to bees with pest control products. Bee colony collapse disorder is the fault of bee-keepers and their mismanagement practices. Bee-keepers are responsible, and not neonicotinoid insecticides. In their usual method of arriving at scientifically illiterate conclusions, the anti-pesticide activists and bee-keepers have somehow concocted the imaginary danger that neonicotinoid insecticides was the reason for bee colony collapse disorder. Of course, this is a myth ! Anti-pesticide activists and bee-keepers are the least qualified to provide any advice concerning neonicotinoid insecticides. Anti-pesticide activists and bee-keepers allege, with no scientific proof, that neonicotinoid insecticides somehow cause bee colony collapse disorder. This is a myth ! When used properly, neonicotinoid insecticides cause no harm, and do not hurt bees. For more information regarding BEES, go to The Pesticide Truths Web-Site … http://wp.me/p1jq40-2bahttp://wp.me/p1jq40-6WJhttp://wp.me/p1jq40-6H8 WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G http://pesticidetruths.com/http://wp.me/P1jq40-2rr